(CNN) - Barack Obama's campaign appears to be ending its push for North Dakota, a state that hasn't voted Democratic in a presidential election for more than 40 years.

Obama's campaign confirms to CNN it is pulling staffers from the state and sending them to two key nearby battlegrounds: Wisconsin and Minnesota. The Democratic nominee last visited North Dakota in early July.

President Bush carried North Dakota in 2004 by nearly 30 percentage points, though a recent American Research Group poll suggests McCain only holds a 9 point lead there. The Arizona senator currently has no paid staff in the state.

The Obama campaign has also pulled staff from Georgia, Idaho and Sarah Palin’s home state of Alaska - all historically red states that also initially appeared within striking distance.

soundoff(234 Responses)

I hope McCain loses his Senate job in Arizzonna!!!!!!!!!!
And Palin goes back to Alaska real soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't be racist!!! Vote for Obama-Biden 2008.

Reaganonomics DID NOT WORK. THE RICH GOT RICHER AND
IT DID NOT TRICKLE DOWN!!!! Mr. Reagan, RIP, it did not work but
THANKS for your effort!!!!!!.

Obama Biden 2008

September 22, 2008 04:28 pm at 4:28 pm |

Tony

You can always count on North Dakota to vote Republican. They have for 40 years straight. Kind of tells ya whats up there huh?!?

OBAMA/BIDEN

September 22, 2008 04:30 pm at 4:30 pm |

So tired of the negativity

Wow,

Now the Obama people are attacking the entire state of North Dakota. The North Dakota folks don't follow their way of thinking so Obama backers insult them and ridicule them. How sad. Obama campaigners are getting lower and lower.

Is this really what we need in this country? I urge you to read through these posts and others on the CNN ticker and see for yourself who the hateful, negative ones really are. The Obama campaigners who have highjacked this network and others.

North Dakota citizens have a right to choose who they want to vote for just like the citizens of New York or Illinois. The Obama backers here in these posts have said that the people from North Dakota are village idiots, racists, and closed minded. So much for Obama backers belief in the democratic process. In their minds if you aren't on their side than you are a target for their hate.

September 22, 2008 04:30 pm at 4:30 pm |

Electoral College for Obama

270 is the magic number and he can do it without North Dakota. His campaign has already defeated the most viable candidate, Hillary Clinton. They know that he needs to hold on to the states where he is ahead and he wins.

Even if he loses Ohio and Florida but wins Pennsylvania and Michigan, where he is ahead, he wins. John McCain is a longshot as long as the issues stay on the economy, because he is completely oblivious to anyone who isnt near his tax bracket. Palin was quickly forgotten as soon as economic hard times hit. There will be plenty of reminders between now and October, because its not getting better.

September 22, 2008 04:31 pm at 4:31 pm |

virginia nielsen in florida

I truly believe in the judgement of the people in ND and SD... as americans they care about what is going on in other states. I would like to remind all voters that we are one nation that must look foward to what is better for ALL of us and I can tell you up front that is not another republican term. God bless America !!!

September 22, 2008 04:36 pm at 4:36 pm |

Emperor Has No Clothes

The world looks at us as some of the most udeserving people on the face of the earth. We take our country for granted, we think it can run on its own without smart and engaging leadership. We believe it does not matter who leads us because we are so great that we can not fail. It's okay to put the village idiot in charge. Our country will be just fine. It's okay to have an economy that has been run into the ground, it's okay to have a military that's over taxed, over deployed, and undervaluded. It's okay because we are the greatest country on the face of the earth, we can let a woman rule this nation who is minimally educated, having no world knowledge. That's perfectly okay. It's okay to let an old man rule this country who mixes up his facts like a color blind man mixes plaids and stripes. It's okay because we are absolutely too great to ever fail no matter who's in charge. It's okay that we tell our kids that it is cool to be smart, but when you become an adult go ahead and be dumb as a doorknob because it makes other adults feel comfortable enough to sit down and have a beer with you. That's absolutely okay. It's okay to vote for John McCain and Sarah Palin especially when the poltical strategist describes those voters as uneducated and small minded, without the ability to really understand true intellectual exchange. It's simply okay because like the sun that rises in the east and sets in the west, the good old USA will always be the greatest nation on the face of the earth simply because we say so. If you truly believe that then we are all Alaskans traveling on the Bridge to Nowhere!

September 22, 2008 04:39 pm at 4:39 pm |

zeke

The good people of the great state of ND are giving Obama the boot. MN and WI will follow. The Democratic party is imploding as we speak. The corrupt and inept Obama campaign is losing ground with the people that actually vote. Let the "swiftboating" begin!!!! Obama is unfit to lead a cubscout pack.

September 22, 2008 04:42 pm at 4:42 pm |

Laina

Thomas,

Since when is Hawaii not part of the U.S.???
So, you're saying that everyone born in Hawaii is not American? Do they know that?

No wonder you're going to vote for McCain/Palin.

September 22, 2008 04:42 pm at 4:42 pm |

sophia nyc

I am astonished that with everything going on people would consider 4 more years of BUSH policies! Americans are as how the rest of the world sees us: deaf, dumb and blind.

September 22, 2008 04:43 pm at 4:43 pm |

thanks, but no thanks

It is amazing how the republican ticket is trying to portray Obama as a socialist. At the same time, they are bailing out their cronies with our money. l agree with Joseph in Dallas this time around let us elect the smart guy. Maybe all of us will benefit.

September 22, 2008 04:45 pm at 4:45 pm |

Canadian fan

Very disappointing about North Dakota. I thought the people of that state were more forward thinking. We visit there often and really enjoy the state and its people, but now we it may not be such a great place! I hope before November that the people of North Dakota will take an honest look at the negative campaigning of McCain/Palin, the many untruths that even I as a Canadian can see, and in the end vote for Obama/Biden!!! We need Barack Obama as the American President!!!!

September 22, 2008 04:46 pm at 4:46 pm |

Jack

I guess the good folks from North Dakota think they are immune from the next "great depression" that the republicans are engineering!

Well good luck to you folks!

Me, I'm voting Democrat all the way and hoping that enough thinking people in this country will realize what the republicans are up to before we lose our Social Security along with our jobs and 401K savings.

September 22, 2008 04:48 pm at 4:48 pm |

PHYLON GEORGE BANGO

Let him try new things but surely why else should he keep speaking. Who by now, would REALLY not have seen that race plays a significant part in this.Otherwise Obama would be 70:30 V MCAIN.There guys out there like PUMA-remember them?.Credit to those white brothers and sisters (and others of course,like LATINOS) who stand shoulder to shoulder with LOVE, IMPARTIALITY and RESPECT and say ' WE ARE ONE' or SIMUNYE in ZULU. Lest there some doubters, YES he is a jolly goodfella and yes you can fight that Gremlin called SUBCONCIOUS RACISM and share history with everyone. Because we are making it in November.

September 22, 2008 04:50 pm at 4:50 pm |

Alabama for Obama

IF ND DOES NOT WANT CHANGE THEN THEY DESERVE WHAT THEY GET..
Same with Alabama,, no campaigning here either , but believe me a lot more people in these states are fired up for the 1st time in years....I never voted for Bush , and very proud of that. And more people are closet Obama supporters...just afraid of vandalism of autos etc if they put stickers on cars or yards from our religious right neighbors...
Yea ...conservative values at work!
Love those family values they have , cars get keyed , house get targeted. So we closet Obama supporters will and do vote.

September 22, 2008 04:51 pm at 4:51 pm |

Scott

So much for a "Nationwide 50 State Campaign"
No chance of a landslide now.
Looks more like 2000/2004 all over again.

I am a a Libertarian leaning independent who will hold my nose and vote for McCain.

I was torn between McCain and Hillary, and actually voted for her in the primary.

I really wish the Democrats would put forward a candidate that actually shares the views of most Americans. It's disappointing that they can only win in the primaries when they put up socialists.

As for the Republicans, bleggghhhh.... but I do agree with the party platform of smaller government, more capitalism.

I hate this election, I disagree with both candidates and I just wish it was over already.

Did anybody notice that Dodd,Schumer and Pelosi are working on this bail out. These three are so disconnected for average americans that it makes you cry. Dodd was to busy running for president I guess to feed his ego.Schumer has his head so far up Hillery butt that he can't see daylight and Pelosi has had so much botox she cant even smile Where were these and the other self centered clowns in
Congress? they didn't even see this coming

VERY SAD

September 22, 2008 04:59 pm at 4:59 pm |

sick n tired

Thats because Obama is smart enough to recognize that North Dakota was the biggest idiot state responsible for handing Bush 2 terms in the White House! In 2000 and 2004. history doesnt lie!

September 22, 2008 05:04 pm at 5:04 pm |

karen

there is no point spending money on those who obviously dont see or dont understand what is at stake in this election–good luck to you Obama/Biden

September 22, 2008 05:04 pm at 5:04 pm |

Aimee

It's alittle hard to help those who refuse to help themselves. But, bet your bottom dollar, the people suffering in North Dakota will be the first to complain. They will stick with what got them where they are today.

OBAMA for a new direction.

September 22, 2008 05:06 pm at 5:06 pm |

SHARON JOHNSON

WELL SOME THINGS WILL NEVER CHANGE BUT LIKE HILLARY
STATED AT THE DNC WHEN YOU HEAR THE DOGS BARKING
KEEP RUNNING DONT GIVE UP AND THEY ARE BARKING !!!!!!

GO OBAMA AND BIDEN08

September 22, 2008 05:07 pm at 5:07 pm |

ALLAN USA

Iwill vote for Obama becouse I want obama take money from rich and give to poor. Yeee Obama ,let's make everybody poor.